Chinese fine dining restaurant coming to old Ponderosa location

Tuesday

May 13, 2014 at 5:08 PM

By Brian.VanOchten@hollandsentinel.com(616) 546-4279

A Chinese fine dining restaurant is coming to Holland.Owner Kenny Lin, who operates a pair of local Chinese restaurants, confirmed Monday he is shutting down China Grill and Sushi Buffet, 12450 Felch St., in Holland Township on Wednesday and planning to open an upscale establishment in a different location in September.Lin purchased the old Ponderosa Steakhouse at the intersection of U.S. 31 and 32nd Street five years ago and said he now plans to open Shanghai Grill and Bar on that site, 442 E. 32nd St., in the fall“It’s the right time to do this,” Lin said. “I’ve been planning a Chinese fine-dining restaurant for the past five years. We don’t have any upscale Chinese restaurants in the Holland area. The economy is better, so this is the right time to open a new restaurant here.”Lin, who has operated restaurants in Holland for the past 15 years, decided to close China Grill and Sushi Buffet near Westshore Mall after a five-year run. The sale of that building is pending.He’ll continue to operate Grand King Buffet, 661 E. 24th St., while he and his wife, Kathy, prepare to open Shanghai Grill and Bar. China Grill patrons on Wednesday will get a coupon for a free buffet meal at the 24th Street restaurant with a paid meal on the final day at that location.Shanghai Grill and Bar will feature upscale, traditional Chinese cooking, a full-service bar, an open-kitchen concept that allows patrons to see food preparation and a sushi bar, Lin said.An electrical upgrade and interior remodeling still need to be completed at the site.Lin bought the former Ponderosa with the dream of one day opening a more upscale restaurant in a better location.“That corner (32nd Street and U.S. 31) is a perfect corner,” said Mike Nagelkirk, of Coldwell Banker Woodland-Schmidt.JC’s Party Store, which has an existing location at 816 Lincoln Ave., is planning to open a new location on the northwest corner of the same intersection of 32nd Street and U.S. 31, Nagelkirk said. The new party store, 457 32nd St., will occupy the former China Inn South restaurant location.— Follow this reporter on Twitter @BizHolland.